First Nations Modern Relations

What’s In a Name? Indian : Historical term. Not politically correct in British Columbia and is deemed slanderous to many. Many pieces of legislation still bear this term. Indian : Historical term. Not politically correct in British Columbia and is deemed slanderous to many. Many pieces of legislation still bear this term. Native : A person/group of people who were born/are historically from a particular place. Vague. Native : A person/group of people who were born/are historically from a particular place. Vague. First Nations : Refers to only certain Aboriginal groups in Canada deemed First Nations. This does not include Metis, or Inuit peoples. First Nations : Refers to only certain Aboriginal groups in Canada deemed First Nations. This does not include Metis, or Inuit peoples. Aboriginal Peoples : All encompassing. Includes First Nations peoples, Metis, and Inuit. Aboriginal Peoples : All encompassing. Includes First Nations peoples, Metis, and Inuit.

The Royal Proclamation of 1763  A document that set out guidelines for European settlement of Aboriginal territories in what is now North America.  Ownership over North America is given to the King.  States that all land is to be considered Aboriginal land until treaty is reached.  Only the Crown (the Royals) can buy land from Aboriginals.  Set the foundation for establishing treaties.  WHAT WAS PROMISED WAS NEVER UPHELD.

Small Pox Wipe Out (1862) 1/3 of Aboriginal populations in Canada are wiped out by foreign disease. There are cases recorded of intentional spread. 1/3 of Aboriginal populations in Canada are wiped out by foreign disease. There are cases recorded of intentional spread. Allows a more manageable control of Aboriginal peoples by European colonizers. Allows a more manageable control of Aboriginal peoples by European colonizers. Smallpox is particularly rampant. Smallpox is particularly rampant.

The Indian Act of 1876  Canadian federal law that governs Indian status, bands, and reserves  Highly invasive and paternalistic as it governs over the day to day lives of Aboriginal peoples and their lands and homes.  Defined who could be a status Indian under the government.  Set up reserves and forced Aboriginal people to live on these plots of land.  Controlled cultural practices and tradition through Indian Agents  Aim was to assimilate.

Now Get a Partner Each partner should: Discuss 2 reasons each why the Indian Act was unfair to the Aboriginal peoples of Canada with their partner

The Indian Act Continued… GENDER DISCRIMINATION:  Historically, Aboriginal society was not always male dominated.  Women’s status was completely tied to their husbands status.  An Aboriginal woman would lose her status if she married a non-Aboriginal man. Lost her treaty, reserve, and burial rights.  If a Aboriginal man married a non-Aboriginal woman she would immediately gain Aboriginal status.  If a woman was widowed or divorced, she would immediately lose her status.  Women could not claim status for their children.

The Residential School System  A system of assimilation set up by the Canadian government and run by the Catholic church as a school.  Within this system students were deprived of the use of their language, culture, religious beliefs, families, and basic rights.  Many aboriginal victims were forcibly taken from their homes where they would learn English, Christianity, and the evil of their past lives. Priests and nuns would “tear the devil out of them.”  Last government run residential school closes in Saskatchewan in 1996.

The 60’s Scoop  The mass removal of Aboriginal children from their families into the child welfare system, in most cases without the consent of their families or bands.  It was common place in some cases in B.C in the 60’s to remove newborn children from their mothers on reserves when they were born.  The children were not always rescued from poor living conditions. In many cases the social workers simply did not understand Aboriginal cultural practices, or reserve conditions.  The majority of children taken were placed in European homes.

Attaining the Vote  Aboriginal people in Canada get the right to vote in March of  Prime Minister John Diefenbaker pushed the right for Aboriginal Canadians to vote through Parliament.  Before 1960, Aboriginal Canadians could vote, but only if they gave up their status as Aboriginals.  If you chose to vote before 1960 you would have to move off reserve, you would not attain any rights as an Aboriginal, and did not have status.

Wab Kinew: Soap Box

Your Ticket Out the Door In 5-10 sentences, tell me something you learned in today’s lesson.  Tell me one thing you learned. How did you feel about what you learned?  Did what you learned shock you? Explain why. Some main topics were: The Royal Proclamation, smallpox wipe out, the Indian Act, residential schools, the 60’s scoop, attaining the vote.